The Organised labour unions and the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, have received 64 Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, buses from the Federal Government.
The buses were presented in line with President Bola Tinubu’s promise to provide affordable and efficient transportation to support Nigerians after the removal of fuel subsidies under the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas PCNGi.
The buses presented to the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, the Trade Union Congress, TUC, and NANS are to ameliorate the burden on the poor and vulnerable and support macroeconomic reforms that would position the country on the path to economic stability.
The handover of the buses on Sunday was made at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja as part of activities to mark Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary.
Mr Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, led a government delegation comprising Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation; Mr Abubakar Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning; and Mr. Ayodele Olawande, the Minister of State for Youth Development.
According to Edu, the symbolic handover of 64 buses marks the beginning of a broader national rollout, with the plan to distribute over 500 CNG buses and 100 electric vehicles in the first instance.
He added that the CNG initiative corresponds with Nigeria’s commitment to cleaner energy while leveraging its energy resources for industrialisation.
”Today marks another critical milestone in the policies of President Tinubu. It is a transition to cleaner fuel. It is for Nigerians. The emphasis is on mass transit. The minister said there is an emphasis on intervening on the side of workers so that they have cheaper transport to cope with rising prices,” Edu said.
“We’ve had an initial spike in inflation, now it has peaked, and it is coming down. Mr President and the whole team are determined to ensure that we keep inflation coming down, and this is one of the major ways.”
The Minister explained that the fuel cost of CNG-powered vehicles is about one-third of the fuel for petrol-powered vehicles, adding that motorists can now pay as low as N15,000 to fill a tank instead of N50,000 or more.
”Today, it is CNG. Tomorrow, it will be helping farmers to cope with the remainder of the wet season planting and then the dry season planting, starting from November, with fertiliser, inputs, seeds, and herbicides. This is all to get prices down and get the economy moving again,” he stated.
Mr Mohamned Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, also said: “This is a necessary first step that the government has taken, and we are giving out 64 buses to commemorate the 64th independence anniversary of our great country.
“40 of these buses are going to the labour unions. You heard the representative of the labour here accepting them. 20 of the buses are going to the Students Union, and about four will now be here in the Federal Capital Territory.”
He further said that more of the buses were being expected.
“Now let me emphasise that this is not all. Over 700 of these buses have already been ordered. These are the first sets we are giving out to symbolise the official commencement of this initiative of Mr. President. So, don’t say that you only have 64 buses to cater to the whole of this country. It’s a necessary first step by the government,” Idris said.
The Minister noted that since CNG costs far less than Premium Motor Spirit, Nigerians should expect to save 60 per cent on transportation costs when the initiative becomes fully operational.
“You will spend far less to fuel it. Filling the two tanks you have seen here will cost you about N15,000, as against N72,000 for Petrol. It’s a drastic reduction. The private sector is already contributing,” he said.
“This is beginning from those who need it the most; the working class will get this. But beyond that, everybody will feel the impact.
“It’s a promise that Mr president has kept to Nigerians, and we know that very soon, more of these buses will ply all the roads of this country,” he said.
Comrade Nuhu Toro, the Secretary-General of TUC, lauded President Tinubu for the gesture and also thanked him for implementing the N70,000 new national minimum wage.
”This move is a significant step in alleviating the economic burden of Nigerian workers,” Toro said.
Comrade Uche Ekwe, who represented the NLC, said the benefits of the CNG buses would become more apparent when they are deployed nationwide.
”If we get more buses, the effect will translate immediately to Nigerians. If people start entering these buses, they will publicise it in the public and their neighbourhood,” he said.
Similarly, the president of NANS, Comrade Emonefe, praised the government not only for the buses but also its commitment to education and student welfare, citing the provision of a student loan scheme for university undergraduates.
“Nigerian students are happy to be celebrating the 64th anniversary of independence. We are not only happy with the CNG buses; we believe that the current President loves the welfare of students and has shown his commitment to this,” Emonefe said.
According to Michael Oluwagbemi, the Programme Director/Chief Executive of PCNGi, said since it was created, over 125 conversion centres have been established, with investment in the sector exceeding $175 million.
He added that 12 new mother stations had been commissioned and 75 more under construction even as technician training is being ramped up, with 40 new technicians trained weekly.
He also noted that over 34,000 conversion kits have been ordered, with more than half already distributed.
According to him, vehicle conversions are taking place at 53 centres in eight states adfung that the centres would be expanded to all the 36 states and the FCT.